China says GDP grew 5% in 2025, among weakest expansions in decades

"China's economy grew 5 percent in 2025, hitting Beijing's annual target even as it registered one of the weakest expansions in decades, according to official statistics. The Chinese economy grew in line with official expectations despite US President Donald Trump's trade war, official data showed on Monday, as surging exports helped offset weak consumer spending and a prolonged property downturn."

"Still, despite shrugging off Trump's tariffs, growth was still well below the recent historical trend of about 8 percent between 2000 and 2025. The world's second-largest economy slowed to an annualised 4.5 percent in the October-December period, compared with expansions of 4.8 percent year and 5.2 percent, respectively, in the third and second quarters. Generally speaking, the national economy sustained momentum of steady progress in 2025 despite multiple pressures, and high-quality development registered new achievements, China's National Bureau of Statistics said in a statement."

China's economy expanded 5 percent in 2025, meeting the annual target despite registering one of the weakest expansions in decades. Quarterly momentum slowed with annualised growth of 4.5 percent in October–December, down from 4.8 percent and 5.2 percent in the third and second quarters. Surging exports offset weak consumer spending and a prolonged property downturn. Retail sales rose just 0.9 percent year-on-year in December, the slowest gain since late 2022. Fixed-asset investment fell 3.8 percent for the year, while real estate development investment declined 17.2 percent. External pressures, prominent domestic supply-demand contradictions, and longstanding structural challenges persist.

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